Tualatin City Council President Chris Barhyte will step down this summer as he plans to move outside the city, he announced this week. He'll likely serve through the end of June, he said.

Barhyte described the move as a family decision, and said his family had been looking for a new home in Tualatin for years. They decided on a home that recently became available in Rivergrove, which is just outside city limits on the north side of the Tualatin River.

"It was a tough decision," Barhyte said.

Barhyte was first elected to the council in 2002, and just began his third term this year. He praised the council and staff he's worked with during that time, and said it's unfortunate the move will require him to leave his position. His departure is a big loss to the city and the region, said City Manager Sherilyn Lombos.

"Chris is a wonderful council member," she said. "We're losing a really smart, savvy council member."

Lombos said the city will appoint an interim councilor to step into the post temporarily this summer. That person will serve until the next general election -- in this case, November 2012 -- chooses who will finish the four-year term.